Transitions

Like most other universities across the nation, Queens University students have gone through a tremendous transition in the past few weeks.  While students, faculty and staff all regret the circumstances, we understand the need to move to an online medium, and we appreciate the university’s priority in keeping our community safe and healthy.  And, while we do not study together physically, we continue moving forward with our studies, albeit “remotely.”  Our CAS blog writers have compiled here some of the things they’ll miss but also some of the things they are grateful for and looking forward to:

From Nia Murat:

• I’ll Miss: My London family. Unfortunately, due to the rapid spread of the corona-virus, I was pulled prematurely from my study abroad family. Thankfully, Queens’ Study Abroad office was able to get me home quickly and safely. As much as I miss my lost time in London and the international group of friends I was fortunate enough to meet, I’m glad that I was able to make it home safely.
• I’m Grateful: That I am fortunate enough to have everything I need to ride out this epidemic. I know many have been affected by economic and social conflict surrounding this outbreak, and my family has been affected as well. But I am extremely grateful that my family is healthy and safe.
• I’m Looking Forward To: heading back to Queens in the fall and seeing all of my wonderful Queens University family! I’ve been lucky enough to have the kindest professors, a few of them taking the time among all of the confusion to reach out to me to make sure I’m weathering the storm alright. I’m so excited to go back to see my community down in Charlotte and get my Senior year off to a good start.

From Emily Iknayan:

• Miss:  I personally try to avoid online classes at all costs, but we are, of course, living in unprecedented times, making online classes the only option. The in-person community we are able to build at Queens is really unmatched. I appreciate being able to bounce my ideas off of my peers and professors, and online learning has diminished the collaborative learning that goes on in a classroom, which is its biggest downfall. RingCentral/Zoom can try to replicate this, but it simply is not the same. Although, I do believe that the asynchronous style makes this transition a bit easier on students.
• Grateful for:  Researching for the various papers I have to complete during the remaining part of the semester continues to be exciting and interesting. Sometimes there’s nothing better than finding what seems like the perfect source. I have enjoyed getting really involved in my research because it’s one of the most enriching distractions, and some of it even offers hope in the midst of the doom and gloom.
• Looking forward to:  I’m looking forward to being able to be in a physical classroom again for my junior year. I have an agreeable course schedule lined up, and I will be participating in Critical Thought Symposium for the 2020-2021 school year. I think it’s really important to keep the future in mind because it’s easy to get bogged down in the moment–there are exciting things to come!!

From Gabrielle Girard, who will graduate in May:

• Miss:  I miss in-class discussions with no static, studio art, and bumping into friends and professors in the coffee shop.
• Grateful for:  As classes pick back up online, I am glad to be taking Global Studies. For me, learning about different countries and watching the way policies shape the world feels more crucial than ever, as we face a global emergency together.
• Looking forward to: At Queens, I have found a voice as a writer, a foothold in literature, and strength in communication and learning. A lot of structure has disassembled for now. In this new space, I am building ways to manage time, prioritize learning, and stay connected with the people I love, at any distance. I am also watching Netflix. My time at Queens, including this unusual semester, has made me feel excited and prepared when I think about the future.

Many thanks to our staff writers for persisting with their studies and other work, including the blog, through the upheaval.  We have a couple more stories coming your way, so stay tuned to this page.  In the meantime, our sympathy goes out to those impacted in so many ways by the coronavirus pandemic.  We hope each of you will find some inspiration in your present situation, and we wish fortitude for all.  Stay well!